FIELD TO MARKET SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS CONTINUE TO GROW

JULY 2018

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(Posted Mon. Jul 2nd, 2018)

Representatives from farmers through the entire production chain met in Madison, Wis. last week for the bi-annual meeting of Field to Market, including representatives of the National Corn Growers Association.

Field to Market is a collaborative effort emphasizing the inclusion of diverse perspectives, a foundation of science- and outcomes-based approaches to sustainability, and a focus on commodity crops with recognition of their unique supply chains.

“We approved our 138th member company at this meeting and I think it’s indicative of the support to grow sustainability in our society,” said Keith Alverson, who serves on the board of NCGA and Field to Market. “This represents 9% growth since last year at this time and we continue to host important discussions on supply chain sustainability from all ends of the supply chain spectrum.”

Alverson said, “NCGA has a clear role and mission of engagement at Field to Market of representing a grower voice and help inform others in the supply chain on the advances we are seeing on the farm level in efficiency and sustainability of our practices.”

Field to Market provides a single platform to report on advances on the farm and offers a forum to work towards outcome-based supply chain measurements rather than standalone standards that are based only on practice adoption.

Currently Field to Market is nearing the release of Field Print Platform 3.0 as an online and API connected sustainability tool as well as diving into strategic planning.

The Fieldprint® Platform is a pioneering assessment framework that empowers brands, retailers, suppliers and farmers at every stage in their sustainability journey, to measure the environmental impacts of commodity crop production and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Field to Market also recognized Corn Grower Mike Wurmnest - a third-generation farmer from Deer Creek, Ill. – with their Farmer Spotlight Award for his noteworthy stewardship efforts.

“Mike understands that good stewardship of our soil and water resources is an ongoing process,” said Jacob Walker, Precision Conservation Management. When it comes to conservation, farmers must have a willingness to adapt as new practices and technologies become available, all the while using sound recordkeeping to maintain a close eye in their financial bottom line. “Mike’s operation serves as a great example of this philosophy in practice.”